Fonseka

Fonseka is a Sinhalese surname predominantly found in Sri Lanka. It is the Sinhala rendering of the Portuguese surname Fonseca, reflecting centuries of Portuguese influence on coastal Sri Lanka. The name has numerous spellings in Sinhala, including Fonseka and Fonsekka, depending on family tradition and transliteration.

Etymology: Fonseca derives from the Latin-based Portuguese word for fountain or spring, fons/fonte, with -seca as a suffix; in Sri Lankan usage, the syllables were adapted to fit Sinhala phonology.

Geographic distribution: The surname is concentrated among Sri Lankan Sinhalese communities, particularly in the western and southern regions. It also appears among Sri Lankan diaspora communities in the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, and the United States.

Notable people: Sarath Fonseka (born 1949) is the most internationally recognized bearer of the name. A former general and commander of the Sri Lankan Army, he later entered politics and ran for president. The surname appears across public life in Sri Lanka, including politics, law, and academia.

See also: Fonseca (surname).